Seating layout for a dinner - long table v rounds

[Ladymuck]

Dh has a milestone approaching. Celebration is a dinner party and he is looking at a long broad table for 32 people. The alternative is having 4 round tables, probably with 9 seats at each allowing us to rotate round between courses.

The long option would be 2 trestle tables wide, so not very close, more "board room" style, though obviously too many people for a single conversation. The venue is long and narrow, and the ceiling is quite short.

I think my concern is whether people will be able to talk across the table, as otherwise you're stuck with the people either side... But the table width is slightly less than the diameter of a banqueting round. Any thoughts, preferences, tips?

Long tables are a nightmare for conversation and the hosts often are unable to chat to guests other than before or after dinner. Four smaller tables with extra chairs is the perfect solution.....maybe with hosts changing table at each course.
We attend lots of big brunch/dinner parties and IMO long tables are awful. Hosts choose their faves to sit by them and often others are left feeling on the periphery of the party.

Long tables are also a nightmare for serving & getting up & going to the loo.

In the end we did go for the one long table, but with a fairly well thought out seating plan. The overall effect in the room was impressive, and we had opted for BBGG seating - a good mix of people and myself and Dh moved round, having primed some others that we would be swapping with them.